“Designing the Look” with Creative Director Abi-Rose

Designing the make up for London Fashion Week is a fun but complex task! There are so many new trends to bare in mind and to stay up to date with, and it’s important to make the designs relevant, original and interesting. As well as this, it is important to remember that the focus is on the garments themselves, so the looks really have to compliment the designs and be striking on the catwalk.

My inspiration for London Fashion Week comes from a variety of current fashion week shows and the trends for that season. For the SS18 Fashion International shows I went for a classic, fresh faced, ‘no makeup makeup’ that makes an appearance in so many fashion week shows at the moment. I love this trend, as it celebrates everyone’s natural beauty and the focus is on enhancing features. I especially love eyebrows and how they frame a face, so this was my chance to focus on them.

For a second makeup look, I decided to take inspiration from the strong broken liner as seen above on Gigi Hadid. Many of the designs were glamorous and strong, so they needed a strong look to compliment them. This was probably the most technically challenging look if you ask my team, but it definitely made an impact on the runway!

Finally, for the big multi-designer evening show at Fashion International, I designed a look inspired by Giorgio Armani’s blue-black smokey eye as seen above. I wanted a strong, sculpted look that would compliment all the designers’ garments featured in this show. I was so pleased with the outcome as it looked so striking. We went for a very strong smokey eye with hints of blue coming through, contoured cheekbones and very simple nude lips; it was all about the eyes!

For Top Model, it’s a slightly different story as, after all, it’s a model competition. My job is to design looks that would flatter and suit every skin tone and facial feature, so as to give everyone an equal platform and to enhance their natural beauty. I also have to bare in mind the amount of models we have, the size of my makeup team and the size of the hair team. This is a fast paced show with many walks and changes, makeup having to be changed and adapted quickly but flawlessly on a lot of models.

Look one is generally natural, as I want to showcase the models’ natural beauty and features. It is important that we start with the most natural look and built up, as it’s much easier to add makeup rather than trying to take it off and change it to something more minimal without added stress and smudging. I prefer minimal makeup, a natural latte finish, with simply lip balm on the lips, a soft natural blush, and eyebrows brushed up as a soft focus point.

Look two is focused on defining the eyes and enhancing the features more. Building on look one, we added smudgy brown definition with black kohl liner for the 2017 shows, and introduced some pink shades to the lips.

Building on look two, we finally added some highlighter and contouring to the cheekbones for look three. We went for a bright red tone for the lips to introduce a bit of glamour and colour. The red wasn’t set in stone, and I advised my makeup artists to pick a tone that would complement the skin colour of the model. Some people suit bluer reds, some people suit warmer orange reds – this is a competition after all, so we try and give everyone a slightly more individual approach.

Ticket are now available for the upcoming show

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"It's an honour to come back year after year and present my collections on the runway at Top Model. Everything is always so professional and well organised and the shows are always of the highest standard".

One minute I'm in Maths class... the next I'm on the runway at London Fashion Week! I can't thank you enough Geoff Cox and Top Model. I'm still pinching myself. Is this all a dream?

Rheanna2016 finalist and award winner

Just wanted to take a minute to say a huge thank you to Top Model as without them we wouldn't be getting signed by agencies today! So happy

Jessica & MaxineFinalists

I took part in the UK commercial final on the Friday of the finals weekend. I just wanted to say a huge thank you for everyone involved... Thank you for giving me the opportunity to get that far. When I entered I honestly was just being a bit brave and never even expected a reply! Thank you for all the hard work you all put in...

KirstyFinalist

Congratulations on a fantastic show

RobertGuest

I just wanted to say thanks again for giving me the opportunity and the platform of Top Model UK. This week has been fantastic and i've had my first campaign shown in the UK, Italy, France, Australia, New Zealand and Asia! xx

ElaineFinalist

Just wanted to say a big thank you for the fantastic experience of being a finalist at Top Model. It has been a dream to be coached on the runway, to learn how to pose and then have the chance to catwalk at such a prestigious event in the Hilton hotel. Special thanks to Geoff Cox for your advice on the catwalk itself during coaching, to Nicola for squeezing our hands before our walks, the designers for our beautiful dresses, the make up and hair girls for making us look gorgeous, and thanks to the entire Top Model team for all the effort and hard work

KarenFinalist

Hello, just wanted to say a massive thank you to Geoff and the team for an amazing opportunity and wonderful night. I had such a great time throughout the whole process so thanks!

NatalieFinalist

It's changed my life. I can't thank you enough

RickyFinalist

I would like to thank you for choosing me as a Grand Finalist for the Commercial category as honestly, this has been the most amazing experience. I've learnt so much from the competition... It has built up my confidence massively as a model, from the feedback right through to the runway coaching in which I will be sure to take on board... I feel this experience has helped me improve as a model as well as an individual

BethFinalist

I want to do it again! I can't believe it's over!

SarahFinalist

I would like to thank you and all your team for having me at Top Model UK. It was a pleasure to work with you. I was impressed by the great organization and a well done show!

Eva GrygoDesigner

This is just a quick email to say thank you to all the staff there at Top Model for all your help and support over the past months and especially over this last weekend. Susanne was full of praise for the way you all were so encouraging and supportive. As this was her first real runway show, it was brilliant that she was able to feel so confident and we are really proud... Thank you for a fabulous experience for my daughter

SusanneFinalists Parent

I wasn't sure exactly what to expect as I've been to a number of competitions and fashion shows previously but as soon as I entered the room I knew Top Model was going to be on a different level to anything I had been involved in previously. Many congratulations on great shows and a great event overall!

Jim HaiderItalian menswear label Senior Sales Executive

I would just like to say thank you very much for the opportunity at helping out at the Top Model finals, I had a thoroughly great time and I'm sure everyone else did too. Please stay in touch and if you ever need any help or assistance again don't hesitate to contact me

AngelicaBackstage Assistant

Thank you so much for friday, it was a great night and an amazing oppertunity and it has made me want to be in the industry even more! and the after party was so fun!

JessFinalist

I just wanted to thank you all so much for an amazing weekend, it was truely the most amazing experience of my life. Every one from the top model crew was so helpful and made us feel great about ourselves. İ feel so happy that i won an award, it has boosted my confidence up so much!

YaseminFinalist

Thank you for such an amazing experience over the past few months enjoyed it so much and it has definitely helped me gain confidence, I feel like a different person. I feel so lucky to have had the amazing opportunity to be part of the show and work along side everyone. I felt like a winner on the night for just being able walk out in front of everybody with confidence, because if somebody had said to me a year ago that is what I would have been doing I would have ran a mile haha. Thanks again, so grateful for the opportunity

NatalieFinalist

I would like to use this opportunity to thank you all for choosing me to take part in the men's finals at Top Model and the hard work you all have done to make the Top Model UK 2012 a very successful show

DreniFinalist

Thank you so much for the experience of my life, to everyone from Top Model team!!!

KamilaFinalist

Just a quick email to say thank you so much for having me in the top model commercial final. I loved every minute of it was amazing it was a pleasure to be part of the show. Also will you give Danielle a big thank you from me for calming me down before going on

SueLynFinalist

I had such a FANTASTIC time on sunday for the Natural Beauty show, it was so well organised and beautifully put together! The hair and makeup team were amazing, they made everyone look even more beautiful (if thats possible) so a big thankyou to them! Thankyou so much Top Model UK for letting me be a part of that wonderful experience and even though i didn't win anything i still thoroughly enjoyed myself!!

LeahFinalist

I just wanted to say thank you for such a brilliant night,the coaching I received with my walk helped immensely so thank you so much... the backstage crew worked so hard in keeping everything running smoothly

CourtnieFinalist

Just a quick note to say a 'great big thank you' to all of the TM team for a truly amazing show! We all had a fantastic time, the show was very professional and entertaining! Kelly had a great time, made some new friends and gained even more experience. We are just sad it's all over and we are missing London already!

LisaFinalists Parent

Just wanted to say we all had a fantastic weekend at the final, want to do it all again. Thought Eve looked fantastic and very professional. Well done and thanks to you and all your team

LynneGuest

Helen had a fab time last night and didn't stop talking for ages about it on the train home! Thanks again for giving Helen the chance to be in the final. She has got so much from it and is even more determined to succeed. Top Model has looked after all the girls so well and is run very professionally. I wish they were all like that, but we learn. Maureen

MaureenGuest

I just wanted to say that you all did such a fantastic job at the show. it was an amazing night, one that i will never forget. you were all so kind and made me fell very proud to be one of the finalists, and i really hope this can move on to bigger and better things for me

Sammy-JoFinalist

Sorry its late in coming but just wanted to thank you and everyone for given me that great opportunity to be part of TMUK. Was fantastic. Just hate the low after such a high. Thank you sooooooooooo very much again. Can't wait to see all the photos!

JolleneFinalist

I was obviously the best and should have won. The judges were idiots!

Anonymous Finalist

What an amazing weekend it was, thankyou so much for giving me the opportunity to walk on the runway at the topmodel finals, I had an absolutely brilliant experience and although I didn't win any awards I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it

EstherFinalist

I just wanted to say thank you! It’s been such an experience working with you and the girls and I LOVED it. The whole night blew me away and it’s a credit to you guys to put the whole idea into a wonderful night. Everyone was so nice and wonderful. Geoff and Amy, the designers, the make-up artists and hair dressers, Dani and Colin, the beautiful girls and everyone backstage just made the whole process so special. Lots and lots of love

AliceFinalist

I had such an amazing time and loved every minute of Saturday from start to finish! Everyone was so friendly and nice and I am keeping in touch with several of the other girls which is lovely. Really enjoyed working with you all... as you promised, it was really professional and I was so happy to be a part of it